The Sable Island Institute presents the 14th Sable Island Update
Monday, June 22, 2026, at 7:00 pm
New Location: O’Regan Hall, Halifax Central Library, 5440 Spring Garden Road
Artist and musician Rose Morrison will perform live, sharing stories, songs, and reflections inspired by her time as the first Sable Island Artist in Residence.
The Sable Island Institute’s Director of Science, Jordan Eamer, will present some highlights from the past year of science and monitoring activities, with a focus on the geological history of Sable Island and the development of the Ecological Research and Monitoring Program. He will be joining us from aboard the vessel Leeway Odyssey where he is currently mapping the seabed on French and Middle Banks.
The presentations will be followed by a Question & Answer session.
The meeting will conclude with a reception with snacks and beverages and conversation.
All are welcome, and admission is free.
ASL translation will be provided, and the venue is accessible for those with wheelchairs or limited mobility (access to elevator via library parking garage).
The event is hosted by Sable Island Institute in partnership with the Sable Island National Park Reserve (Parks Canada), and is sponsored by the Ecology Action Centre and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (Nova Scotia Chapter).
Rose Morrison and Jordan Eamer, a few images
Rose Morrison on a high dune, with binoculars, looking towards the south beach and horses far off in the distance. Rose will speak about her experiences on Sable Island, including recording the sounds of the dunes, flora and fauna, and of human artifacts, and collecting natural history observations as she explored, and was inspired by, the landscape.
Tuning up on the north beach. Rose’s flight back to Halifax was on November 10th, so early that morning she and Zoe recorded some music to be posted the next day, Remembrance Day. Rose selected “Heavy is My Fate”, a traditional Scottish air commonly played in Cape Breton. Although they started on the north side, it was too noisy with the wind and they moved to the sheltered area near the remains of the Scots Pine. Photo Zoe Lucas
An aerial photo taken by a drone operated by Jordan Eamer showing an exposed outcrop of peat along the south beach. The yellow arrow points to Victoria Watson (Jordan’s student) and Zoe standing on the outcrop. Also shown in this photo are patches of dark burgundy-coloured heavy mineral sand accumulated on the beach. The Sable Island Station is visible far off in the distance. Photo Jordan Eamer.
Jordan collecting a preliminary core sample of the dense organic sediment in the peat outcrop shown above. Trying to get as much done before losing the light. Such outcrops are usually only accessible at low tide, and in conditions where churning waves have carried away the sand. Within a few days this outcrop could be buried under beach sand again. Photo Zoe Lucas